Selective directional mitigation of wireless signal interference

ABSTRACT

A boundary of a wireless network is monitored for incoming wireless signals that may interfere with an ability of a first wireless computing device to connect to the wireless network within the boundary of the wireless network. For an incoming wireless signal determined to interfere with the ability of the first wireless computing device to connect to the wireless network within the boundary of the wireless network, a directional opposing outgoing wireless signal is emitted to counteract the incoming wireless signal and to stop the incoming wireless signal from further interfering with the ability of the first wireless computing device to connect to the wireless network within the boundary of the wireless network.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to wireless signal interference. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to selective directionalmitigation of wireless signal interference.

Wireless routers, such as those that operate using the IEEE 802.11bwireless networking protocol (e.g., WiFi routers, etc.), and wirelesslocal area networks (WLANs) provide a connection point to a network, andoperate by generation and reception of wireless signaling usable bycomputing devices for wireless connection to and communication over thenetwork. By use of a wireless router or WLAN, computing devices do notrequire a physical network cable to interconnect to the respectivenetwork.

SUMMARY

A computer-implemented method includes, by a wireless zone protectionsystem, monitoring a boundary of a wireless network for incomingwireless signals that may interfere with an ability of a first wirelesscomputing device to connect to the wireless network within the boundaryof the wireless network; and for an incoming wireless signal determinedto interfere with the ability of the first wireless computing device toconnect to the wireless network within the boundary of the wirelessnetwork, emitting a directional opposing outgoing wireless signal tocounteract the incoming wireless signal and to stop the incomingwireless signal from further interfering with the ability of the firstwireless computing device to connect to the wireless network within theboundary of the wireless network.

A system that performs the computer-implemented method and a computerprogram product that causes a computer to perform thecomputer-implemented method are also described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of an implementation of a systemfor selective directional mitigation of wireless signal interferenceaccording to an embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of an implementation of a coreprocessing module capable of performing selective directional mitigationof wireless signal interference according to an embodiment of thepresent subject matter;

FIG. 3A is a block diagram of an example of an implementation of anoverhead view of a deployment of the system of FIG. 1 at an initial timeof detection of wireless interference within a protected zone accordingto an embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 3B is a block diagram of an example of an implementation of theoverhead view of FIG. 3A at a later time of mitigation of the detectedwireless interference for selective directional mitigation of wirelesssignal interference according to an embodiment of the present subjectmatter;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an example of an implementation of a processfor selective directional mitigation of wireless signal interferenceaccording to an embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 5A is a flow chart of an example of an implementation of initialprocessing of a process for selective directional mitigation of wirelesssignal interference that further details control of a set of boundarytransceivers and collaborative mitigation processing among protectedwireless networks using an interference mitigation feedback loopaccording to an embodiment of the present subject matter; and

FIG. 5B is a flow chart of an example of an implementation of additionalprocessing associated with the process for selective directionalmitigation of wireless signal interference that further details controlof a set of boundary transceivers and collaborative mitigationprocessing among protected wireless networks using an interferencemitigation feedback loop according to an embodiment of the presentsubject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The examples set forth below represent the necessary information toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and illustratethe best mode of practicing the invention. Upon reading the followingdescription in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilledin the art will understand the concepts of the invention and willrecognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressedherein. It should be understood that these concepts and applicationsfall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.

The subject matter described herein provides selective directionalmitigation of wireless signal interference. The present technologysolves a recognized interference problem that occurs in association withwireless routers, such as those that operate using the IEEE 802.11bwireless networking protocol (e.g., WiFi routers, etc.), and wirelesslocal area networks (WLANs). The technology described herein provides anew form of signal interference mitigating computing devices and systemthat operatively monitor a boundary of a protected wireless network anddetect incoming wireless signals that are originating from a neighboringwireless network that are determined to be capable of causing networkinterference within the protected wireless network. As individualinterference-producing wireless signals are detected, the signalinterference mitigating computing devices determine an interferingsignal source direction from which these interfering signals arepropagating. The signal interference mitigating computing devicesselectively counteract the incoming interfering signals by generating anoutgoing directional interference mitigation signal in the directionfrom which the detected interfering signal is propagating.

The signal interference mitigating computing devices may also detect thesignal strength of the incoming interfering signals at the boundary ofthe protected wireless network/zone, and may generate the directionalinterference mitigation signal at a power level that matches thedetected incoming signal strength of the incoming interfering signals.By power matching the directional interference mitigation signal to thedetected incoming power level at the boundary of the protected wirelessnetwork, the signal interference mitigating computing deviceseffectively limit further propagation of the interfering signal into theprotected wireless network, without jamming or otherwise destroying theinterfering wireless signal as it propagates in other directions.Additionally, it should be noted that the power level of the interferingsignal increases in the direction of the interfering signal sourcerelative to the power level of the directional outgoing interferencemitigation signal that decreases in power as it directionally propagatesin the direction of the interfering signal source, As a result, theeffects of the directional outgoing interference mitigation signaldecrease within the interfering network with increasing distance fromthe boundary of the protected wireless network. As an additionalvariation, and as described in more detail below, the generateddirectional interference mitigation signal may not be generated at apower level that matches to the incoming interfering signal. The localprotected router may communicate through an interference mitigationfeedback loop, as described in more detail below, with neighboringprotected routers to determine where each router's respective clientdevices are located. If the interfering signal/router has a client nearthe border of the local protected zone and the local protected zonerouter has no clients near that border, then the local protected masterzone router/transceiver may instruct the boundary transceiver(s) toproduce a smaller or no counter signal since the interfering signal isnot currently causing connection difficulties by any local protectedzone client devices and may be helping the neighboring client devicesconnected to the neighboring protected router. However, if a protectedzone has a client device that is moved closer to the border of the localprotection zone, the local protected master zone router/transceiver mayinstruct the boundary transceiver(s) to increase the power level of theinterference mitigation signal to maintain acceptablebandwidth/connection signal strength for the moving client device.

As such, the new signal interference mitigating computing devices/systemdescribed herein may thereby reduce and/or eliminate furtherinterference from neighboring wireless networks without destroying theutility of the interfering signal and the neighboring wireless networksin other directions or within the interfering/neighboring network(s).The technology described herein allows multiple WiFi and WLAN networks(wireless networks generally herein) to operate more efficiently inclose proximity to one another while still providing their intendedservices within a continually-increasing density of wireless routers andsignaling devices. A variety of interference mitigation techniques aredescribed herein, and each technique operates to mitigate wirelessnetwork interference within a protected wireless network caused byneighboring wireless networks.

The technology described herein operates by monitoring a boundary of awireless network for incoming wireless signals that may interfere withan ability of a wireless computing device to connect to the wirelessnetwork within the boundary of the wireless network. For an incomingwireless signal determined to interfere with the ability of the wirelesscomputing device to connect to the wireless network within the boundaryof the wireless network, the technology further operates by emitting adirectional opposing outgoing wireless signal to counteract the incomingwireless signal and to stop the incoming wireless signal from furtherinterfering with the ability of the wireless computing device to connectto the wireless network within the boundary of the wireless network.

It should be noted that while the present description utilizes the term“connect” with reference to wireless computing devices experiencinginterference with an ability to connect to a protected wireless network,the term “connect” is also intended to encompass communicationdifficulties or problems. For example, interference with an ability of awireless computing device to connect to a protected wireless network mayinclude degradation of performance or strength of connectivity thatcauses dropped packets, intermittent signal strength that results inrepeated negotiation for reconnection, or any other form of wirelessconnection difficulty that may be caused by wireless interference. Asdescribed in more detail below, the present subject matter monitors theperiphery or boundary of a protected wireless network/zone for incominginterfering signals and effectively mitigates (e.g., operates tocancel/counteract further propagation of) those signals using thedirectional interference mitigation signal directed at the source of theinterference. By additionally determining a minimally invasive powersetting of the directional interference mitigation signal thateffectively stops further propagation of the interfering wireless signalinto the protected network, the interference mitigation activities mayreduce impact on the neighboring wireless network that is the source ofthe interference.

The generated directional interference mitigation signal isalternatively termed a “directional opposing outgoing wireless signal”and is defined herein as an out-of-phase/inverted signal that isopposite in phase relative to a detected incoming interfering signal,and that is generated in a focused manner directed toward theinterfering signal source direction to affect a physical cancellation ofthe interfering signal at a boundary of a protected wirelessnetwork/zone, and to mitigate and/or stop further propagation of theincoming interfering signal into the protected wireless network/zone.Where the directional interference mitigation signal is generated at apower level that matches a detected power level of the interferingsignal to further limit the effects of the directional interferencemitigation signal on neighboring wireless networks, the directionalinterference mitigation signal is alternatively termed a “directionalminimally-invasive power level interference mitigation signal.” Theterms “directional interference mitigation signal,” “directionalopposing outgoing wireless signal,” “directional mitigation signal,” and“directional out-of-phase/inverted interference mitigation signal” areused interchangeably within the present description for ease ofdescription purposes with the understanding that these terms applyequally to either variation of the generated directional interferencemitigation signal (e.g., either being or not being generated at theminimally-invasive power level) as appropriate for a givenimplementation of the description herein, and as specificallydifferentiated within the claims that follow. Further, it should benoted that the directional interference mitigation signal may initiallybe generated at a default or other initial power level, and maythereafter be dynamically adjusted in power to be generated at a powerlevel that matches a detected power level of the interfering signal.

Received signal strength indication (RSSI) or other technologies may beused to determine the power level of the incoming interfering signal andto monitor power levels of generated directional mitigation signals. Anysuitable implementation and/or combination of these types oftechnologies may be used, as appropriate for a given implementation.

To achieve the directional mitigation of incoming wireless interference,a perimeter/boundary may be established around a given “protected”router's effective operational zone (hereinafter alternatively the“protected zone”). Wireless directional zone protection boundarytransceivers may operate as boundary signal sensors and boundary signalblockers, and as such establish a wireless geofence that surrounds theprotected wireless network. The wireless directional zone protectionboundary transceivers may be deployed along the periphery or boundary ofthis protected zone, and are alternatively referred to herein as“boundary transceivers” or “boundary sensors” as appropriate for theparticular aspect of the following description.

The wireless directional zone protection boundary transceivers may bemoveably mounted and oriented to detect and mitigate foreign wirelesssignals that enter the protected zone from the different directionsrelative to which the boundary transceivers are oriented (e.g., fromabove, below, North, South, East, and West, or otherwise asappropriate). Servo motors or other technology may be utilized tocontrol the positioning and operative direction of the boundarytransceivers.

The boundary transceivers may detect interference-causing incomingwireless signaling, and may determine a direction and a power level ofthe interfering wireless signaling at their respective locations alongthe boundary of the protected zone. The boundary transceivers maycoordinate with a master zone protection transceiver (also alternativelytermed the “master transceiver” or “master sensor” as appropriate). Themaster zone protection transceiver may be situated in communication withthe protected router, and may be situated in close proximity to theprotected router or elsewhere as appropriate for the givenimplementation.

As introduced above, the boundary sensors may measure the strength,direction, and other characteristics of incoming wireless signals attheir respective area of the boundary of the protected zone. Theboundary transceivers may continually receive and measure these incomingwireless signals and directional changes, and may gather informationabout those incoming signals (e.g., frequency, wavelength, channel,signal strength, media access control (MAC) address, Internet Protocol(IP) address, service set identification (SSID), etc.). The boundarytransceivers may be shielded to the rear of their respectivesensing/generating directions to reduce filtering and other processingto omit consideration of wireless signaling generated from within theprotected zone.

The boundary sensors may then send this information to the master zoneprotection transceiver for processing. The master transceiver acceptsthe information from the boundary transceivers, logs the information,and triangulates the precise direction from which any given signal ispropagating into the protected zone.

It is understood that one or more incoming wireless signals may beinterfering with communications within the protected zone, as describedin more detail below. As such, the master zone protection transceivermay additionally and/or alternatively determine from the protectedrouter that signal degradation has occurred with respect to a clientdevice hosted by the protected router (e.g., dropped packets, excessiveretries, etc.). The master zone protection transceiver may receive thisinformation from the protected router along with a location of theaffected client device for which the interference has been determined.The location of the affected client device may be identified usingglobal positioning system (GPS) or other technology as appropriate for agiven implementation.

The master zone protection transceiver may determine which of thepotentially several incoming wireless signals is causing theinterference based upon the location of the client device, and basedupon the relative strengths and directions of the incoming wirelesssignals. The master zone protection transceiver may instruct one or moreof the boundary transceivers to directionally mitigate the interferenceusing directional out-of-phase signaling directed at the wireless signalsource. As such, the wireless directional zone protection (boundary)transceivers may effectively cancel further incoming propagation of theinterfering signal into the protected zone, and as described above andin more detail below, may effectively cancel further incoming signalpropagation without destroying the utility of the interfering wirelesssignaling in other directions of propagation.

The identified one or more boundary transceivers may include a smalldirectional antenna for detection of incoming interfering signal(s) andfor generation of the directional mitigation signaling. The smalldirectional antenna may be adjusted and focused in the direction of theoffending signal. The boundary transceiver broadcasts the directionalmitigation signal in the direction of the offending signal, using thesame frequency, channel, and detected signal strength of the interferingsignal, but inverted to cancel the continuously-changing amplitude ofthe interfering signal. A result of the out-of-phase/invertedinterference mitigation signal is effective neutralization of theoffending incoming signal, such that it no longer propagates into theprotected zone and no longer causes the interference within theprotected zone.

Through iterative communication with the master zone protectiontransceiver in communication with the protected router, the directionalmitigation signaling may be refined to a minimal power level sufficientto mitigate the interference within the protected zone, and to avoidcausing further disruption of the interfering wireless signal within itsown usable wireless region. By use of a minimal power level sufficientto mitigate the interference, the generated directional mitigationsignal is coincidentally minimally invasive to the interfering signaland to the adjacent/neighboring wireless network(s).

It should be noted that the boundary transceivers may be installed ongutters, windows, or another part of a building, and may be installedeither inside or outside as appropriate for the given implementation.The boundary transceivers may further be installed at any location alonga side of a structure, or at corners of structures, again as appropriatefor the given implementation.

The master zone protection transceiver may be installed in closeproximity to the protected router, such that it may be physically wiredto the protected router to ensure communications for purposes ofinterference mitigation. The functionalities of the master zoneprotection transceiver and the protected router may additionally beintegrated into a single/combined device, as appropriate for the givenimplementation. Alternatively, the master zone protection transceivermay utilize a different wireless communication protocol, a differentfrequency, a different wireless channel, and other configurations asappropriate to ensure wireless communications with the protected routerand the boundary sensors, and/or may be physically wired to thesedevices to ensure communications with the protected router and theboundary sensors, again as appropriate for a given implementation. Themaster zone protection transceiver may be positioned at any locationthat provides communication capabilities with the protected router andwith the boundary sensors. As an additional alternative, the master zoneprotection transceiver, the protected router, and the boundarytransceivers may utilize the same wireless protocol, frequency, andchannel on which the interference is detected. In such a configuration,the respective devices may rely upon protocol-based transmissionintegrity (e.g., repeated transmission, etc.) or increased local signalstrength to ensure that the respective devices may communicate in theprotected area to effectively mitigate the interference.

The master zone protection transceiver may further format and output thereceived foreign signal information and the mitigation determinations(e.g., direction, power level, etc.) into a graphical user interface(GUI) that may be accessed via the local wireless or physical network(e.g., using a local network Internet Protocol (IP) address, such as<<192.168.1.2/boundary.html>>, with “http” and “://” as a prefix asappropriate to form an actual uniform resource locator (URL)).Information may be displayed regarding the direction of the incomingoffending/interfering wireless signal, an identity of the boundarytransceiver(s) closest to the offending/interfering wireless signal, andthe mitigation measures that have been programmatically implemented bythe master zone protection transceiver and the respective boundarytransceiver(s) to reduce the interference within the protected zone.

Regarding interference mitigation and generation of the directionalminimally-invasive power level interference cancellation signal (thedirectional mitigation signal again for brevity), it should beunderstood that signal propagation from a given wireless router may beconfigured to use a specific frequency, channel, and signal strength.The generated directional mitigation signal may mitigate (e.g., cancel)the interfering signal by being generated on the same channel, at thesame frequency, and at the same “detected” power level as the detectedinterfering signal at the boundary transceiver, but generated onehundred and eighty degrees (180°) out of phase relative to (e.g.,inverted relative to) the detected incoming interfering signal. As such,when the interfering signal is at its sinusoidal maximum, the generatedminimally-invasive power level cancellation signal that is 180 degreesout of phase will be at its sinusoidal minimum, resulting in a netsignal power level of zero (0) and effective cancellation of theoffending/interfering signal. Similar analysis may be applied throughouta sinusoidal oscillation of the interfering signal, such that thegenerated directional mitigation signal may be applied to theinterfering signal to result in a net signal power level of zero (0)throughout the periodicity of the interfering signal at the point ofgeneration of the directional mitigation signal (e.g., at the respectiveboundary of the protected zone). The directional mitigation signal maybe generated directionally to affect the interfering signal in adirection opposite to the source of propagation. In this way, theinterfering signal may be effectively cancelled, and further propagationin the direction in which the signal was interfering may be avoided tomitigate the detected interference within the protected zone.Additionally, the directional effects of the minimally-invasive powerlevel cancellation signal on the interfering signal diminish overdistance as the directional mitigation signal propagates toward thesource of the interfering signal and in the direction of increasingsignal strength of the interfering signal, as described in more detailbelow.

To further the description of the directional mitigation signal, afterinitial generation of the directional mitigation signal, the respectiveboundary transceivers may check to see if the interfering signal isstill present at the respective boundary sensor. If there is still anincoming interfering signal at a power level greater than zero (0), theboundary transceiver may increase the broadcast strength of the outgoingdirectional minimally-invasive power level interference cancellationsignal. If there is no incoming interfering signal, the boundarytransceiver may decrease the broadcast strength of the outgoingdirectional mitigation signal. In order to “neutralize” the interferingsignal, the boundary transceiver(s) may continually check for incominginterfering signals and may adjust broadcast strength to match but notoverpower the signal strength of the incoming interfering signal. Assuch, the boundary transceivers may iteratively and independentlymonitor their respective performance with respect to the interferencemitigation activities relative to the protected zone.

Regarding signal strength and minimal intrusion of the directionalmitigation signal into neighboring protected zones, it should be notedthat signal decay at relative locations may be measured logarithmically,for example, such as by use of the decibel (dB) scale, or may bemeasured using percentages. Where percentages are used, a scale may beutilized, such as from minus one hundred twenty decibels (−120 dB) tozero decibels (0 dB), where zero (0) maps to one hundred percent (100%)and minus one hundred (−100) maps to zero percent (0%). Within such ascale, any signal under minus eighty decibels (−80 dB) may be consideredunusable. Further, and using again decibels for purposes of example, alocation at which a power level measurement of minus three decibels (−3dB) relative to a signal source/origin power level is detected may beconsidered to approximate a half-power location of a signal along agiven path of signal propagation. The minus three decibel (−3 dB) pointmay exist in all directions of propagation, and as such may be viewed asa contour or surface around the signal origin. This contour or surfacemay be at a constant radius in free air, or may traverse around thesource at differing distances due to physical elements within thepropagating signal path in the respective different directions.

For purposes of example and not limitation, it is to be understood thatif a given incoming interfering signal was detected at its minus threedecibel (−3 dB) point at a given boundary sensor, and the directionalmitigation signal was generated at that equivalent detected power levelfrom the location of that zone protection sensor to mitigate theinterfering signal, then the minus three decibel (−3 dB) point of thegenerated directional outgoing interference mitigation signal wouldoccur at a location between the sensor and the source location of fullpower generation of the interfering signal due to the fact that thegenerated directional mitigation signal is generated at half the powerof the interfering signal (within this example). As a result, thegenerated directional mitigation signal would be less intrusive to theinterfering network than the interfering signal is to the protected zoneby the nature of the reduced power level at which the directionalmitigation signal is generated relative to the generated power level ofthe interfering signal. Further with respect to the non-intrusive natureof the generated directional mitigation signal, the generateddirectional mitigation signal would be dominated by the full powergeneration of the interfering signal as it propagates in otherdirections from the source relative to the continually decreasing powerlevel of the directional mitigation signal as that signal furtherpropagates and reduces in signal strength.

Similar analysis may be applied to other detected power levels asdescribed above, with similar relative interference mitigation appliedwith minimal interference to the originating wireless network.Accordingly, the directional mitigation signal may be considered“non-intrusive” for purposes of the present description, in that it isgenerated at a power level that is not intended to interfere with theneighboring wireless networks. The present subject matter may neutralizefurther propagation of only the offending incoming signals withoutsignificantly interfering with or overpowering neighboring wirelessdevices.

It should further be noted that multiple neighboring wireless networksmay utilize the technology described herein to coordinate with oneanother and to each mitigate interference within their respectiveprotected zones, and again with minimal interference to other protectedzones. To further mitigate the intrusive effects of the generateddirectional mitigation signals, the technology described herein mayfurther utilize neighboring master zone protection transceivercoordination in what is termed herein a “mutual interference mitigationfeedback loop.” The mutual interference mitigation feedback loop may beprovided and established between neighboring master zone protectiontransceivers to allow the respective neighboring devices to each confirmwith the other that the generated signal strength of their respectivedirectional mitigation signals is not interfering with communications ofclient devices of the respective neighboring router(s) within therespective neighboring wireless networks. A mutual interferencemitigation feedback loop may be established between each pair ofneighboring master zone protection transceivers to create amulti-dimensional set of mutual non-interference feedback loops. Assuch, the neighboring master zone protection transceivers maycommunicate with each other to notify each other that one of theirprotected wireless router's connected client devices may be havingdegraded signal quality due to the signal interference mitigationactivities performed by the respective other/neighboring protected zone.When this occurs, the affected master zone protection transceiver maysend a request to the respective neighboring master zone protectiontransceiver to reduce the interference mitigation signaling performed bythe respective neighboring protected zone. It should be understood thatwireless routers may implement the master zone protection transceiverwithout departure from the scope of the subject matter described herein.

It is additionally understood that the location of client devices andmovement of client devices served by the protected zone relative to theneighboring/interfering wireless networks may result in a dynamic andcontinually changing set of interference patterns. The technologydescribed herein operates to continually adjust the mitigationactivities over time as appropriate for a given detected signalinterference. Where a mutual non-interference feedback loop is utilizedto coordinate interference mitigation activities among different masterzone protection transceivers, the location of client devices andmovement of client devices relative to the respective serving(protected) routers and neighboring wireless networks may result in adynamic and continually changing set of interference patterns. Thetechnology described herein operates to continually adjust themitigation activities among the collaborating protected zones, asappropriate for a given detected signal interference.

It should be noted that conception of the present subject matterresulted from recognition of certain limitations associated with use ofmultiple wireless routers in close proximity to one another, and theresulting wireless interference that is produced by overlapping wirelesssignaling. For example, it was observed that multiple wireless routersmay be located within a single structure or in close proximity withinadjacent structures, and that these “adjacent” wireless routers may usethe same transmission protocol (e.g., IEEE 802.11b, etc.); and may evenuse the same frequency, channel, and signal strength for signaling insome cases. It was determined that the density of overlapping wirelesssignaling causes signal degradation in each adjacent wireless networkdue to interference, and that as a result wireless client devices may beunable to communicate via their designated wireless routers. It wasadditionally observed that the respective client devices that utilizethe different mutually-interfering wireless routers are often physicallyseparated within different structures or different portions of astructure when they access their respective wireless networks. As aresult, these client devices are typically not attempting to utilizetheir respective wireless router from a location near where theinterference caused by their respective networks is occurring within theadjacent wireless network.

It was additionally determined that, in view of the increasing densityof wireless signaling sources, prior technologies that attempted toaddress signal interference were unsatisfactory for several reasons.Specifically, it was determined that prior signal jamming technologies(e.g., disabling communications) were unsatisfactory because thistechnology prevents any use of the originating signal, and may notcomply with regulatory requirements in certain circumstances. Further,it was determined that prior radio frequency shielding technologies,where a building or room is adapted to have a physical barrier to blockout unwanted signals (e.g., by use of paint, wallpaper, or wire mesh),were also unsatisfactory because this technology requires users toremain behind the physical barrier and does not allow wireless deviceusers to move freely with their devices while connected to a wirelessnetwork.

Regarding the solution to these several problems described herein, itwas further observed that because signals generally propagate in alldirections from an omni-directional offending wireless router antenna(or directionally from a parabolic or other directional offendingwireless antenna), and because signals naturally decrease in transmittedpower as distance increases, new technology to mitigate wirelessinterference as it propagates from a particular source in a particulardirection using a generated directional minimally-invasive power levelinterference cancellation signal would be less likely to interfere withthe offending signal as it propagates in other directions. It wasfurther determined that because client devices may be moved, with aresulting change in the location of the wireless interference, the powerlevel and directional characteristics of the generated directionalminimally-invasive power level interference cancellation signal shouldbe dynamically adjusted over time to dynamically refine and maintain thelowest possible power level to effectively mitigate interference at theparticular and often changing location of interference. The presenttechnology operates in a dynamic manner to continually adjustdirectional mitigation of interfering signals. The new technologydescribed herein selectively, directionally, and dynamically mitigatesspecific unwanted foreign wireless signals to reduce interference withclient devices connected to a given router, and to improve access to anduse of the given router by the respective client devices. As furtherdescribed herein, this new technology may perform the interferencemitigation without rendering the interfering wireless router inoperativefor its intended purposes in other directions, so that the interferingwireless router may serve its respective client devices. The presentsubject matter improves wireless technology by providing for selectivedirectional mitigation of wireless signal interference, as describedabove and in more detail below. As such, improved inter-devicecommunication and improved neighboring wireless network autonomy may beobtained through use of the present technology.

The selective directional mitigation of wireless signal interferencedescribed herein may be performed in real time to allow prompt anddynamic signal compensation to mitigate interfering wireless signals.For purposes of the present description, real time shall include anytime frame of sufficiently short duration as to provide reasonableresponse time for information processing acceptable to a user of thesubject matter described. Additionally, the term “real time” shallinclude what is commonly termed “near real time”—generally meaning anytime frame of sufficiently short duration as to provide reasonableresponse time for on-demand information processing acceptable to a userof the subject matter described (e.g., within a portion of a second orwithin a few seconds). These terms, while difficult to precisely defineare well understood by those skilled in the art.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of an implementation of a system100 for selective directional mitigation of wireless signalinterference. A wireless computing device 102 communicates via aprotected wireless network 104 and a protected router 106 with severalother devices, represented generally by a server 108 that may beaccessed by a network 110. The protected wireless network 104 and theprotected router 106 may be part of a single physical device withoutdeparture from the scope of the present technology, and as such thesecomponents are alternatively represented as a protected wireless router112.

A master zone protection transceiver 114 interoperates with theprotected router 106 and with several boundary transceivers/sensorsthat, for purposes of example, include a boundary transceiver 116, aboundary transceiver 118, a boundary transceiver 120, and a boundarytransceiver 122. While the four (4) boundary transceivers 116-122 areillustrated, any number of boundary transceivers may be utilized asappropriate for a given implementation.

A mitigation network 124 provides separate connectivity between themaster zone protection transceiver 114, the protected router 106, andthe boundary transceivers 116-122. The mitigation network 124 does notrely upon the protected wireless network 104 to allow the respectivedevices to communicate during times of wireless interference that isimposed upon the protected wireless network 104 by other wirelessnetworks (not shown). As such, the mitigation network 124 allowscommunication and coordination of mitigation activities to counteractthe detected wireless interference. Further, it is recognized that themitigation activities implemented by the master zone protectiontransceiver 114 and one or more of the boundary transceivers 116-122may, over time, finely tune a particular mitigation signal strength thatadequately mitigates the wireless interference without excessivecorruption of the interfering/neighboring wireless network, and use ofthe separate mitigation network 124 may provide uninterruptedcommunications during mitigation activities and during other times. Themitigation network 124 may further allow the respective devices tocommunicate and mitigate interfering wireless signaling even wherewireless interference otherwise prohibits wireless communication betweenthe respective devices over the protected wireless network 104. It isunderstood that the devices may selectively transition fromcommunications over the protected wireless network 104 to the mitigationnetwork 124 in response to detection of signal interference ordegradation of the protected wireless network 104.

The mitigation network 124 is illustrated as a solid line to represent ahard-wired connection. However, the mitigation network 124 mayalternatively be implemented using one or more different wirelesschannels and/or protocols that are distinct from those used by theprotected wireless network 104, as appropriate for a givenimplementation.

As introduced above, the master zone protection transceiver 114 operatesto control directional orientation and signaling operations of therespective boundary transceivers 116-122. As such, the master zoneprotection transceiver 114 may control the respective boundarytransceivers 116-122 to pan, tilt, or otherwise move and to allow therespective boundary transceivers 116-122 to detect wireless signalingthat originates from neighboring wireless networks and to generatedirectional countermeasures to mitigate detected wireless interference.The master zone protection transceiver 114 may determine appropriatecorrective/mitigating signaling and may control one or more of therespective boundary transceivers 116-122 to mitigate wireless signalinterference.

Further, as also introduced above, the master zone protectiontransceiver 114 may inter-operate with other master zone protectiontransceivers in other systems (each not shown) that are similar to thesystem 100 to implement a mutual non-interference feedback loop tocoordinate interference mitigation activities among the respectiveneighboring systems. In such an implementation, the mitigation network124 may further provide communications with the neighboring system(s)for implementation of the mutual non-interference feedback loop betweenmaster zone protection transceivers, such as the master zone protectiontransceiver 114, located within the respective neighboring system(s).

As will be described in more detail below in association with FIG. 2through FIG. 5B, the master zone protection transceiver 114 incoordination with the respective boundary transceivers 116-122 provideautomated selective directional mitigation of wireless signalinterference. The automated selective directional mitigation of wirelesssignal interference is based upon detection and mitigation of wirelesssignal interference caused by neighboring wireless networks. While therespective devices are shown as distinct components, the presenttechnology may be implemented at a user computing device or serverdevice level, or by a combination of such devices as appropriate for agiven implementation. A variety of possibilities exist forimplementation of the present subject matter, and all such possibilitiesare considered within the scope of the present subject matter.

The network 110 may include any form of interconnection suitable for theintended purpose, including a private or public network such as anintranet or the Internet, respectively, direct inter-moduleinterconnection, dial-up, wireless, or any other interconnectionmechanism capable of interconnecting the respective devices.

The server 108 may include any device capable of providing data forconsumption by a device, such as the wireless computing device 102, viaa network, such as the network 110. As such, the server 108 may includea web server, application server, or other data server device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of an implementation of a coreprocessing module 200 capable of performing selective directionalmitigation of wireless signal interference. The core processing module200 may be associated with the master zone protection transceiver 114and the boundary transceivers 116-122. Further, certain portions of thecore processing module 200 may be associated with either the wirelesscomputing device 102, with the server 108, and with other components ofthe system 100 of FIG. 1, as appropriate for a given implementation. Assuch, the core processing module 200 is described generally herein,though it is understood that many variations on implementation of thecomponents within the core processing module 200 are possible and allsuch variations are within the scope of the present subject matter.Further, the core processing module 200 may be implemented as anembedded processing device with circuitry designed specifically toperform the processing described herein as appropriate for a givenimplementation.

Further, the core processing module 200 may provide different andcomplementary processing of selective directional mitigation of wirelesssignal interference in association with each implementation. As such,for any of the examples below, it is understood that any aspect offunctionality described with respect to any one device that is describedin conjunction with another device (e.g., sends/sending, etc.) is to beunderstood to concurrently describe the functionality of the otherrespective device (e.g., receives/receiving, etc.).

A central processing unit (CPU) 202 (“processor”) provides hardware thatperforms computer instruction execution, computation, and othercapabilities within the core processing module 200. A display 204provides visual information to a user of the core processing module 200and an input device 206 provides input capabilities for the user.

The display 204 may include any display device, such as a cathode raytube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), light emitting diode (LED),electronic ink displays, projection, touchscreen, or other displayelement or panel. The input device 206 may include a computer keyboard,a keypad, a mouse, a pen, a joystick, a touchscreen, a voice commandprocessing unit, or any other type of input device by which the user mayinteract with and respond to information on the display 204.

It should be noted that the display 204 and the input device 206 may beoptional components for the core processing module 200 for certainimplementations/devices, or may be located remotely from the respectivedevices and hosted by another computing device that is in communicationwith the respective devices. Accordingly, the core processing module 200may operate as a completely automated embedded device without directuser configurability or feedback. However, the core processing module200 may also provide user feedback and configurability via the display204 and the input device 206, respectively, as appropriate for a givenimplementation.

A communication module 208 provides hardware, protocol stack processing,and interconnection capabilities that allow the core processing module200 to communicate with other modules within the system 100. Thecommunication module 208 may include any electrical, protocol, andprotocol conversion capabilities useable to provide interconnectioncapabilities, as appropriate for a given implementation. As such, thecommunication module 208 represents a communication device capable ofcarrying out communications with other devices. The communication module208 may include wireless signal capabilities useable to detect andgenerate wireless signaling, including detection of interfering wirelesssignaling and generation of wireless mitigation signaling by therespective boundary transceivers 116-122.

A memory 210 includes a zone protection processing and storage area 212that stores wireless signal interference detection and mitigationinformation in association with the core processing module 200. As willbe described in more detail below, wireless signal interferencedetection and mitigation information stored within the zone protectionprocessing and storage area 212 is used to detect and mitigate wirelessinterference from neighboring wireless networks.

It is understood that the memory 210 may include any combination ofvolatile and non-volatile memory suitable for the intended purpose,distributed or localized as appropriate, and may include other memorysegments not illustrated within the present example for ease ofillustration purposes. For example, the memory 210 may include a codestorage area, an operating system storage area, a code execution area,and a data area without departure from the scope of the present subjectmatter.

A zone protection module 214 is also illustrated. The zone protectionmodule 214 provides wireless interference detection and mitigationcapabilities for the core processing module 200, as described above andin more detail below. The zone protection module 214 implements theautomated selective directional mitigation of wireless signalinterference of the core processing module 200. Where the coreprocessing module 200 is installed in association with a boundarytransceiver, the zone protection module 214 may additionally include analtimeter for detection of an elevation of installation for a boundarytransceiver usable to determine a three-dimensional (3D) cancellationbearing identified by the respective boundary transceiver, and mayinclude a mechanical control unit that includes one or more controls formovement and panning of the respective boundary transceiver (e.g., oneor more servo motors, etc.). Other variations and implementations of thezone protection module 214 are possible in accordance with a giveninstallation, and all such variations and implementations are consideredwithin the scope of the present description.

It should also be noted that the zone protection module 214 may form aportion of other circuitry described without departure from the scope ofthe present subject matter. The zone protection module 214 may form aportion of an interrupt service routine (ISR), a portion of an operatingsystem, or a portion of an application without departure from the scopeof the present subject matter. The zone protection module 214 may alsoinclude an embedded device with circuitry designed specifically toperform the processing described herein, as appropriate for a givenimplementation.

It should further be noted that the zone protection module 214 mayimplement complementary functionality according to the respective devicewith which it is associated. For example, where the zone protectionmodule 214 is associated with the master zone protection transceiver114, the zone protection module 214 may provide coordination activitieswith the protected router 106 and the wireless computing device 102 todetect conditions of wireless interference, and to instruct therespective boundary transceivers 116-122 to implement a designatedwireless mitigation strategy, including appropriate mitigation feedbackwithin the system 100 regarding corrective measures implemented by theboundary transceivers 116-122 and the effectiveness of mitigationactivities at improving communications between the wireless computingdevice 102 and the protected router 106. Alternatively, where the zoneprotection module 214 is implemented in association with a boundarytransceiver, the zone protection module 214 may provide directionalcontrol of the respective boundary transceiver to provide wirelessinterference analysis and directional detection capabilities, and toprovide wireless mitigation signal generation and power controlcapabilities.

A global positioning system (GPS) module 216 provides positioningcoordinates usable for identifying locations of devices. The GPS module216 may also be used to identify a relative spatial relationship betweendevices for which wireless interference is detected and proximateinterfering wireless source devices.

The CPU 202, the display 204, the input device 206, the communicationmodule 208, the memory 210, the zone protection module 214, and the GPSmodule 216 are interconnected via an interconnection 218. Theinterconnection 218 may include a system bus, a network, or any otherinterconnection capable of providing the respective components withsuitable interconnection for the respective purpose.

Though the different modules illustrated within FIG. 2 are illustratedas component-level modules for ease of illustration and descriptionpurposes, it should be noted that these modules may include anyhardware, programmed processor(s), and memory used to carry out thefunctions of the respective modules as described above and in moredetail below. For example, the modules may include additional controllercircuitry in the form of application specific integrated circuits(ASICs), processors, antennas, and/or discrete integrated circuits andcomponents for performing communication and electrical controlactivities associated with the respective modules. Additionally, themodules may include interrupt-level, stack-level, and application-levelmodules as appropriate. Furthermore, the modules may include any memorycomponents used for storage, execution, and data processing forperforming processing activities associated with the respective modules.The modules may also form a portion of other circuitry described or maybe combined without departure from the scope of the present subjectmatter.

Additionally, while the core processing module 200 is illustrated withand has certain components described, other modules and components maybe associated with the core processing module 200 without departure fromthe scope of the present subject matter. Additionally, it should benoted that, while the core processing module 200 is described as asingle device for ease of illustration purposes, the components withinthe core processing module 200 may be co-located or distributed andinterconnected via a network without departure from the scope of thepresent subject matter. Many other possible arrangements for componentsof the core processing module 200 are possible and all are consideredwithin the scope of the present subject matter. Accordingly, the coreprocessing module 200 may take many forms and may be associated withmany platforms.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B described below collectively represent an example ofa time sequence in accordance with selective directional mitigation ofwireless signal interference. FIG. 3A is a block diagram of an exampleof an implementation of an overhead view 300 of a deployment of thesystem 100 of FIG. 1 at an initial time of detection of wirelessinterference within a protected zone. Certain of the components of thesystem 100 of FIG. 1 are not depicted within the overhead view 300 toavoid crowding within the drawing.

As described above, a protected zone is defined as a given “protected”router's effective operational zone, and as such defines athree-dimensional (3D) geographic region within which interference fromother wireless networks may be detected and mitigated as describedherein. The wireless computing device 102, the protected wireless router112, and the master zone protection transceiver 114 are each showngenerally located within a structure 302. The structure 302 may be abuilding, a room or space within a building, an open air patio, a lawnor area of a park, or other form of protected zone as appropriate for agiven implementation. The structure 302 represents a protected zone forpurposes of the present example, with the understanding that other areasoutside of the structure 302 may utilize the protected wireless router112, and these additional areas may be included in the protected zone.As such, in actuality, the protected zone of the protected wirelessrouter 112 may extend beyond physical boundaries of the structure 302,though for purposes of the present example locations within thestructure 302 are sufficient to describe the technology presentedherein.

As introduced above, wireless signaling emanating from the protectedwireless router 112 may be spherical, conical, or otherwise generated bythe protected wireless network 104 as appropriate for a givenimplementation. As such, a shape of a given protected zone mayalternatively be defined as a 3D surface of constant effective signalstrength of the wireless signaling generated by the protected wirelessnetwork 104. A defined signal-strength boundary of a protected zone maybe defined as a signal strength surface relative to the original signalstrength of the wireless signaling of the protected wireless network 104(e.g., a 3 dB or other relative power decrease that still providessuitable operational signal strength for use by the wireless computingdevice 102). Further, where signal strength is utilized to define theprotected zone, it should be understood that, while represented as acontinuous surface, a diameter of that continuous surface may differalong the circumference due to different densities of materials alongvarious paths of signal propagation. As such, a protected zone may bedefined as a region of any appropriate dimension within which a wirelesscomputing device (e.g., the wireless computing device 102) served by awireless network (e.g., the protected wireless network 104) mayotherwise communicate by use of the wireless network absent interferencefrom other neighboring wireless networks. Accordingly, a protected zonerepresents a region of normal functional operation of the protectedwireless network 104, and may include a second or subsequent floor/storyof the structure 302 without departure from the scope of the presentsubject matter, and the wireless computing device 102 may be located ona different floor within the structure 302.

The boundary transceivers 116-122 are illustrated as positioned along aboundary of the structure 302. As noted above the boundary transceivers116-122 may be installed on gutters, windows, or another part of abuilding, and may be installed either inside or outside as appropriatefor the given implementation. As depicted within the present example,the boundary transceivers 116-122 may each physically self-controlthree-dimensional (3D) panning by use of one or more servo motors orother technology to achieve an approximate one hundred and eighty (180)degrees of motion horizontally and vertically to scan for incominginterfering wireless signaling. The boundary transceivers 116-122 mayalternatively be mounted on corners of the structure 302 and may eachphysically pan again by use of one or more servo motors or othertechnology to achieve an approximate two hundred and seventy (270)degrees of motion horizontally and vertically (3D) to scan for incominginterfering wireless signaling, as appropriate for a givenimplementation.

Within the present example, a North arrow 304 depicts a northerlyorientation within the overhead view 300. As can be seen, the boundarytransceiver 116 is illustrated as being located on a West side of thestructure 302, the boundary transceiver 118 is illustrated as beinglocated on a South side of the structure 302, the boundary transceiver120 is illustrated as being located on an East side of the structure302, and the boundary transceiver 122 is illustrated as being located ona North side of the structure 302.

Wireless signaling 306 is depicted as emanating from the protectedwireless router 112 within the structure 302. The wireless signaling 306is graphically represented to be generated at a signal level sufficientfor use under ordinary circumstances by the wireless computing device102 without excessive propagation outside of the structure 302. Not allradiating signaling is depicted for the wireless signaling 306 to reducecrowding within the drawing.

The master zone protection transceiver 114 instructs the four (4)boundary transceivers 116-122 to begin panning (not illustrated) athree-dimensional area that surrounds the structure 302 and to performwireless signal detection to determine whether a neighboring wirelesssignal is detectable at a boundary of the structure 302 at a signalstrength sufficient to interfere with wireless communications within thestructure 302.

An interfering wireless source 308 is depicted to be generating aninterfering wireless signaling pattern 310. For purposes of example, theinterfering wireless signaling pattern 310 is generated at a signalstrength sufficient to penetrate the structure 302 and to also interferewith communications between the wireless computing device 102 and theprotected wireless router 112, as represented by the dotted boundarylines of the interfering wireless signaling pattern 310 that overlap thewireless computing device 102.

The boundary transceivers 116-122 pan in a 3D motion within theirrespective designated areas to detect wireless interference that entersthe protected zone represented by the structure 302. As also describedabove, a rear area of the boundary transceivers 116-122 may be shieldedto avoid reception of the wireless signaling 306 by the respectiveboundary transceivers.

Within the present example, based upon the shielding and movementcapabilities of the respective boundary transceivers 116-122, each ofthe boundary transceiver 118 and the boundary transceiver 120 detect theinterfering wireless signaling pattern 310, and each respectively lockinto a respective detected position/direction of greatestthree-dimensional (3D) detected signal strength of the interferingwireless signaling pattern 310 to determine the 3D source direction ofthe interfering wireless signaling pattern 310 (as described in moredetail in association with FIG. 4 below). The locked position of thegreatest 3D detected signal strength of the interfering wirelesssignaling pattern 310 may be considered a “cancellation bearing” forpurposes of the present description, because the cancellation bearing isa direction of generation of a directional out-of-phase/invertedinterference mitigation signal. The boundary transceivers 116 and 122are presumed not to detect the interfering wireless signaling pattern310 within the present example. Additionally, for purposes of thepresent example, it is noted the interfering wireless signaling pattern310 is weaker at a location of the boundary transceiver 118, and it isadditionally noted that signal propagation of the interfering wirelesssignaling pattern 310 past a location of the boundary transceiver 118would not affect wireless communications within the structure 302.

Each of the boundary transceiver 118 and the boundary transceiver 120further determine the detected signal strength of the interferingwireless signaling pattern 310 at the specific location of therespective boundary transceiver 118 and 120. As described above, thedirectional out-of-phase/inverted interference mitigation signal may begenerated at the detected power level of the interfering wirelesssignaling pattern 310 at the location of the respective boundarytransceiver 118 and 120 along a respective cancellation bearing to matchthe detected power level of the interfering wireless signaling pattern310. As such, the generated interference mitigation signal mayeffectively mitigate further propagation of the interfering wirelesssignaling pattern 310 past the respective boundary transceiver 118 and120, while minimally impacting other communications with the interferingwireless source 308. Accordingly, the present technology may operate tomitigate interference from neighboring wireless networks withoutrendering those neighboring wireless networks inoperative.

It should also be noted that the interfering wireless signaling pattern310 may be originating from a ground level outside of the structure 302,or may be generated from a neighboring structure (not shown) on a secondor higher elevation/floor of the neighboring structure. As such, the 3Dsource direction provides improved accuracy for wireless signalmitigation activities, as described in more detail below.

FIG. 3B is a block diagram of the example of the implementation of theoverhead view 300 of FIG. 3A at a later time of mitigation of thedetected wireless interference for selective directional mitigation ofwireless signal interference. FIG. 3B represents a later time duringwhich the detected wireless interference described above in associationwith FIG. 3A is mitigated by the master zone protection transceiver 114and the respective boundary transceivers. Again, certain of thecomponents of the system 100 of FIG. 1 are not depicted within theoverhead view 300 to avoid crowding within the drawing.

Within FIG. 3B, it can be seen that the boundary transceiver 118 and theboundary transceiver 120 have each turned (as represented by therespective arrows 312 and 314), and have locked into a position ofgreatest three-dimensional (3D) detected signal strength of theinterfering wireless signaling pattern 310. A 3D cancellation bearing316 represented with an arrow and line depicts the greatest 3D detectedsignal strength relative to the boundary transceiver 118. Similarly, a3D cancellation bearing 318 represented with an arrow and line depictsthe greatest 3D detected signal strength relative to the boundarytransceiver 120. As such, the boundary transceiver 118 and the boundarytransceiver 120 have each determined the 3D source direction of and arespective appropriate cancellation bearing for the interfering wirelesssignaling pattern 310.

The boundary transceivers 118 and 120 communicate their respectivedetected interfering wireless signaling pattern 310 information (e.g.,cancellation bearing, detected power level, etc.) to the master zoneprotection transceiver 114. The master zone protection transceiver 114performs a triangulation among known 3D locations of the two boundarytransceivers 118 and 120 and the respective 3D cancellation bearings 316and 318, and identifies a location of origin of the interfering wirelesssource 308. It is understood that GPS information or other technologymay be utilized to identify the respective locations.

For purposes of the present example, it is presumed that the master zoneprotection transceiver 114 determines that the direction and signalstrength of the interfering wireless signaling pattern 310 detected bythe boundary transceiver 118 are determined to be minimal anddirectionally unrelated to the location of the wireless computing device102. As such, the present example illustrates that the boundarytransceiver 118 is not instructed by the master zone protectiontransceiver 114 to initiate signal mitigation activities in an areabetween the boundary transceiver 118 and the interfering wireless source308. Accordingly, the interfering wireless signaling pattern 310 is notimpeded by the boundary transceiver 118 as it further propagates in adirection that does not cause the specific interference beingexperienced by the wireless computing device 102.

In contrast, the direction and signal strength of the interferingwireless signaling pattern 310 detected by the boundary transceiver 120are determined by the master zone protection transceiver 114 to becausing the specific interference being experienced by the wirelesscomputing device 102, and directionally specific to the location of thewireless computing device 102. As such, the present example illustratesthat the boundary transceiver 120 generates a directionalout-of-phase/inverted interference mitigation signal 320 directed alonga determined 3D cancellation bearing 318 toward the interfering wirelesssource 308 in an area between the boundary transceiver 120 and theinterfering wireless source 308.

As described above, the initiated directional out-of-phase/invertedinterference mitigation signal 320 generated by the boundary transceiver120 is generated at an equivalent signal power level as the previousdetected power level of the interfering wireless signaling pattern 310at a location of the boundary transceiver 120. As such, the generateddirectional out-of-phase/inverted interference mitigation signal isgenerated at a minimally invasive power level relative a power level ofthe interfering wireless source 308, yet counteracts the interference tothe wireless signaling 306 generated by the protected wireless router112 in the specific location of use by the wireless computing device102. Accordingly, the interfering wireless signaling pattern 310 may bemitigated in a direction that is determined to cause the specificinterference being experienced by the wireless computing device 102.

As such, the example of FIGS. 3A and 3B show an implementation ofselective directional mitigation of wireless signal interference. Otherexamples are possible and all such examples are considered within thescope of the present technology.

FIG. 4 through FIG. 5B described below represent example processes thatmay be executed by devices, such as the core processing module 200, toperform the automated selective directional mitigation of wirelesssignal interference associated with the present subject matter. Manyother variations on the example processes are possible and all areconsidered within the scope of the present subject matter. The exampleprocesses may be performed by modules, such as the zone protectionmodule 214 and/or executed by the CPU 202, associated with such devices.It should be noted that time out procedures and other error controlprocedures are not illustrated within the example processes describedbelow for ease of illustration purposes. However, it is understood thatall such procedures are considered to be within the scope of the presentsubject matter. Further, the described processes may be combined,sequences of the processing described may be changed, and additionalprocessing may be added or removed without departure from the scope ofthe present subject matter.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an example of an implementation of a process400 for selective directional mitigation of wireless signalinterference. The process 400 represents a computer-implemented methodof performing the subject matter described herein. At block 402, theprocess 400 monitors a boundary of a wireless network for incomingwireless signals that may interfere with an ability of a first wirelesscomputing device to connect to the wireless network within the boundaryof the wireless network. At block 404, the process 400, for an incomingwireless signal determined to interfere with the ability of the firstwireless computing device to connect to the wireless network within theboundary of the wireless network, emits a directional opposing outgoingwireless signal to counteract the incoming wireless signal and to stopthe incoming wireless signal from further interfering with the abilityof the first wireless computing device to connect to the wirelessnetwork within the boundary of the wireless network.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a flow chart of an example of an implementationof process 500 for selective directional mitigation of wireless signalinterference that further details control of a set of boundarytransceivers and collaborative mitigation processing among protectedwireless networks using an interference mitigation feedback loop. Theprocess 500 represents a computer-implemented method of performing thesubject matter described herein. FIG. 5A illustrates initial processingwithin the process 500. The process 500 may be implemented inassociation with a master zone protection transceiver of a wireless zoneprotection system, such as the master zone protection transceiver 114 ofthe system 100 as described above.

At decision point 502, the process 500 makes a determination as towhether to begin protection of a wireless network to implement aprotected wireless zone. For example, the process 500 may be initiatedin association with a boot procedure, interval processing, or otherevent associated with a master zone protection transceiver of aprotected wireless system as appropriate for a given implementation. Inresponse to determining to begin protection of a wireless network toimplement a protected wireless zone at decision point 502, at block 504the process 500 instructs boundary transceivers (wireless directionalzone protection boundary transceivers), such as the boundarytransceivers 116-122, to scan a three-dimensional (3D) area/region thatsurrounds a boundary of the wireless network to be protected and toidentify incoming wireless signals (interference) that may interferewith the ability of a first/local (protected) wireless computing deviceto connect to the wireless network within the boundary of the wirelessnetwork. It should be noted that other variations on the processingdescribed are possible, and all such variations are considered withinthe scope of the present technology. For example, as an alternative toinstructing the boundary transceivers to scan to identify incomingsignals, the protected router 106 may determine that the wirelesscomputing device 102 has a degraded signal (e.g., worse than normalconnectivity or worse than a baseline) and may report that proactivelyto the boundary transceivers 116 through 122. Further, the protectedrouter 106 may alternatively report the degraded signal to the masterzone protection transceiver 114, which may then determine and coordinatewith the boundary transceivers 116 through 122 regarding which of theboundary transceivers are to send out cancellation signals. These typesof alternative forms of processing are understood to form a part of thedescription herein, and any reference to functionality of the boundarytransceivers to initiate control/communication may alternatively beimplemented at the respective other device(s) (e.g., the protectedrouter 106, the master zone protection transceiver 114, etc.) to processand control the boundary transceivers 116 through 122.

At decision point 506, the process 500 begins a re-entrant proceduralprocessing loop that processes messages from the boundary transceivers.Specifically, at decision point 506 the process 500 makes adetermination as to whether incoming signal information has beenreceived from any of the boundary transceivers. As described above,received incoming signal information may include a detected power levelof an incoming wireless signal at a respective location of a givenboundary transceiver and a three-dimensional (3D) cancellation bearingrelative to the respective boundary transceiver that specifies a sourcedirection of the incoming wireless signal relative to the respectiveboundary transceiver.

At block 508, the process 500 processes the received incoming signalinformation to evaluate the direction and magnitude of the detectedincoming wireless signal(s) relative to locations of wireless computingdevices within the protected wireless zone. It is understood thatincoming signal information may be received from multiple boundarytransceivers in association with contemporaneous detection of incomingwireless signals at the respective installation locations of therespective boundary transceivers.

At decision point 510, the process 500 makes a determination, based uponthe incoming signal information received from at least one of theboundary transceivers, as to whether an incoming wireless signal isinterfering with communications within the protected wireless zone. Theprocess 500 may determine that the incoming wireless signal isinterfering with an ability of at least one of the protected wirelesscomputing devices to connect to the wireless network within the boundaryof the protected wireless network along a direction of propagation ofthe incoming wireless signal as detected by the respective boundarytransceivers. In response to determining that the incoming wirelesssignal is not interfering with communications within the protectedwireless zone, the process 500 returns to decision point 506 anditerates as described above to continue processing incoming wirelesssignal information received from the boundary transceivers.

In response to determining at decision point 510 that the incomingwireless signal is interfering with communications within the protectedwireless zone, the process 500 begins processing to mitigate theinterfering wireless signal. At block 512, the process 500 determines asource location of the interfering wireless signal by triangulatingcancellation bearings received from multiple boundary transceivers. Atblock 514, the process 500 determines a location of any local/protectedwireless computing device(s) within the protected zone. It should benoted that the process 500 may routinely make the determination of thelocation of any protected wireless computing device(s) within theprotected zone as these devices may be moved within the protectedwireless zone over time. As such, the placement of the determination atblock 514 within FIG. 5A and the process 500 is for convenience ofdescription and is not considered limiting.

At block 516, the process 500 determines a direction of propagation ofthe interfering wireless signal at each boundary transceiver that hasreported detection of the interfering wireless signal. At block 518, theprocess 500 determines which of the boundary transceivers has detectedthe inferring wireless signal for which the respective detecteddirection of propagation of the interfering wireless signal isdetermined to interfere with the ability of a protected wirelesscomputing device to connect to the wireless network within the boundaryof the protected wireless network.

At block 520, the process 500 determines a minimally-invasive powersetting at which to generate a directional opposing wireless signal thatmitigates the interference within the wireless zone (e.g., a protectedwireless network) caused by the interfering wireless signal withoutrendering the interfering wireless signal entirely inoperative outsideof the wireless zone. As such, the process 500 determines aminimally-invasive power level at which to emit the directional opposingoutgoing wireless signal such that an amount of counteraction of theincoming wireless signal outside the boundary of the wireless network isminimized. As described above, the determined minimally-invasive powerlevel may be a power level equivalent to a detected power level of theinterfering incoming wireless signal at the boundary of the wirelessnetwork that is being protected. It is noted that, when generated, thedirectional opposing second wireless signal may decay in power level asit propagates towards an increasing power level of the interferingwireless signal in the direction of the source location from which theinterfering wireless signal is generated. This may minimize the amountof counteraction of the first wireless signal outside the boundary ofthe wireless network that is being protected.

At block 522, the process 500 instructs the respective boundarytransceiver to emit the directional opposing second wireless signalalong the respective cancellation bearing at a respective detected powerlevel of the first wireless signal to counteract the first wirelesssignal. Emitting the directional opposing second wireless signal tocounteract the first wireless signal may include emitting an inverteddirectional signal (e.g., an inverted interference mitigation signal)that is out of phase relative to a phase of the incoming wireless signaland that is generated at the determined minimally-invasive power leveland directed toward a source location from which the first wirelesssignal is generated.

It should be noted that as an alternative, the process 500 may instructthe respective boundary transceiver(s) to begin emitting the directionalopposing second wireless signal along the respective cancellationbearing at a default initial level during a time that the process 500determines the minimally-invasive power setting, and the process 500 mayinstruct the respective boundary transceivers to dynamically adjust theemitted power level over time to tune the power output and mitigation ofthe directional opposing second wireless signal.

The process 500 transitions to the processing shown and described inassociation with FIG. 5B. The transition location is represented by thecircled letter “A” within each drawing.

FIG. 5B illustrates additional processing associated with the process500 for selective directional mitigation of wireless signal interferencethat further details control of a set of boundary transceivers andcollaborative mitigation processing among protected wireless networksusing an interference mitigation feedback loop. At decision point 524,the process 500 makes a determination as to whether the detectedinterference was successfully mitigated by the emitted directionalopposing second wireless signal(s). In response to determining that thedetected interference was not successfully mitigated by the emitteddirectional opposing second wireless signal(s), the process 500instructs the respective boundary transceiver(s) to incrementallyincrease the emitted power level of the directional opposing wirelesssignal at block 526. As such, the process 500 may dynamicallyincrease/adjust a power level of the emitted directional opposingwireless signal based upon the effectiveness of the previouslyimplemented mitigation activities. The process 500 may alternativelydynamically decrease/adjust the power level of the emitted directionalopposing wireless signal until the boundary transceiver(s) again detectthe interfering wireless signal at a level that is determined not tointerfere within the protected wireless zone. In this manner, theprocess 500 may granularly tune the interference mitigation activitiesusing real-time feedback of signal measurements at the boundary of theprotected wireless zone.

The process 500 iterates between decision point 524 and the processingat block 526 until the interference is determined to be effectivelymitigated. In response to determining at decision point 524 that theinterference has been mitigated, the process 500 begins iterativeprocessing to process messages received via one or more mutualnon-interference feedback loops implemented between the protectedwireless zone and one or more neighboring protected wireless networks.

It should be noted that additional processing may be performed by theprocess 500 to identify and request neighboring wireless protectionzones to reduce emitted power of wireless signaling using a mutualnon-interference feedback loop message that has been received, asdescribed above. This additional processing is not illustrated withinthe process 500 in order to describe reception of messages via a mutualnon-interference feedback loop in more detail. However, it should beunderstood that this type of processing is considered to be a part ofthe process 500 and within the scope of the present description. Itshould further be understood that the processing described belowregarding receipt of mutual non-interference feedback loop messages maybe implemented by a neighboring protected zone responsive to a requestinitiated by the process 500.

At decision point 528, the process 500 makes a determination as towhether a message has been received from a neighboring wireless networkthat emits the incoming wireless signal. As described above, messagingmay be implemented using a mutual non-interference feedback loop betweenneighboring routers/wireless networks, and the received message may beconsidered a mutual non-interference feedback loop message for purposesof the present description. In response to determining that a messagehas not been received from the neighboring wireless network that emitsthe incoming wireless signal, the process 500 makes a determination atdecision point 530 as to whether the detected interference has beenterminated at its source. Termination of incoming wireless interferencemay occur for a variety of reasons, such as by a wireless router beingturned off, by a neighboring mobile wireless device that emits theinterfering wireless signaling being moved to a location further awayfrom the protected zone, or otherwise as appropriate for a givenimplementation. The process 500 iterates between decision point 528 anddecision point 530 until an affirmative determination is made at eitherdecision point.

In response to determining at decision point 528 that a message has beenreceived from the neighboring wireless network that emits the incomingwireless signal, at block 532 the process 500 determines whether themessage indicates that the emitted directional opposing outgoingwireless signal is interfering with an ability of a neighboring wirelesscomputing device to connect to the neighboring wireless network within aboundary of the neighboring wireless network. In the present example, itis presumed that it is determined that the message indicates that theemitted directional opposing wireless signal is interfering with theability of the neighboring wireless computing device to connect to theneighboring wireless network within the boundary of the neighboringwireless network. Again, this determination may be based upon mutualinterference mitigation feedback from the neighboring wireless networkthat emits the incoming interfering wireless signal using the mutualinterference mitigation feedback loop implemented between theneighboring wireless network and the wireless zone protection system.

At block 534, the process 500 may again determine a location of one ormore local/protected wireless computing devices relative to a sourcelocation of the neighboring wireless network that emits the interferingwireless signal. By determining the location of the local/protectedwireless computing devices relative to a source location of theneighboring wireless network, the emitted directional opposing signalmay be further tuned to reduce power of the emitted directional opposingwireless signal.

At block 536, the process 500 instructs the respective boundarytransceiver(s) to dynamically and incrementally reduce the emitted powerlevel of the emitted directional opposing wireless signal to reduceimpacts of the emitted directional outgoing opposing wireless signal onthe neighboring wireless network while still preventing the incominginterfering wireless signal from further interfering with the ability ofthe local/protected wireless computing devices to connect to theprotected wireless network within the boundary of the protected wirelessnetwork. As described above, this processing to dynamically andincrementally reduce the emitted power level of the emitted directionaloutgoing opposing wireless signal may be based upon a message receivedfrom the neighboring wireless network, and again the message may beconsidered to have been received as part of a mutual interferencemitigation feedback loop established between neighboring wirelessnetworks. Further, in view of the use of location of the local/protectedwireless computing devices, the dynamic adjustment of the power level ofthe emitted directional outgoing opposing wireless signal may be basedupon the determined location of the local/protected wireless computingdevice(s) relative to the source location of the neighboring wirelessnetwork that emits the incoming interfering wireless signal.

At decision point 538, the process 500 makes a determination as towhether the neighboring wireless network is operative for its intendedpurpose within its protected boundaries (i.e., is the neighboringwireless network okay). This processing may be responsive to additionalmessaging from the neighboring wireless network over the mutualnon-interference feedback loop.

In response to determining at decision point 538 that the neighboringwireless network is not operative for its intended purpose within itsprotected boundaries (not okay), the process 500 returns to block 536 toagain instruct the respective boundary transceiver(s) to dynamically andincrementally reduce the emitted power level of the emitted directionalopposing wireless signal until the neighboring network reports via themutual non-interference feedback loop that the emitted directionalopposing wireless signal is no longer interfering with the intendedoperations of the neighboring wireless network within its protectedboundaries.

In response to determining at decision point 538 that the neighboringnetwork has reported that it is again operative for its intended purposewithin its protected boundaries, the process 500 returns to decisionpoint 530 and iterates as described above. Returning to the descriptionof decision point 530, in response to determining that the detectedinterference has been terminated, the process 500 returns to decisionpoint 502 described above in association with FIG. 5A, as represented bythe circled letter “B” in each drawing.

As such, the process 500 implements control of boundary transceivers topan and detect incoming wireless signaling to form a protected wirelesszone, and processes incoming wireless signal information received fromthe boundary transceivers to determine whether any detected incomingwireless signals are interfering with the protected wireless networkwithin the intended boundaries of the protected wireless network. Theprocess 500 programmatically derives a source location of theinterfering wireless signal based upon the cancellation bearingsreceived from the respective boundary transceivers, and determines whichof the boundary transceivers may effectively mitigate the interferencewithin the protected wireless zone caused by the interfering wirelesssignal without causing excessive impact on the utility of theinterfering wireless signal outside of the protected wireless zone. Theprocess 500 instructs the boundary transceivers to emit a directionalopposing wireless signal to mitigate the local interference caused bythe interfering wireless signal. The process 500 further performsprocessing using a detected power level of the interfering signal at theboundary of the protected wireless zone, using a mutual non-interferencefeedback loop, and using a location of local/protected wirelesscomputing devices to tune the emitted power level of the directionalopposing wireless signal to further minimize the impact of the localzone protection activities on neighboring wireless networks.

As described above in association with FIG. 1 through FIG. 5B, theexample systems and processes provide selective directional mitigationof wireless signal interference. Many other variations and additionalactivities associated with selective directional mitigation of wirelesssignal interference are possible and all are considered within the scopeof the present subject matter.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art basedupon the teachings herein without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention. The subject matter was described to explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:monitoring a boundary of a wireless network for incoming wirelesssignals that may interfere with an ability of a first wireless computingdevice to connect to the wireless network within the boundary of thewireless network; and for an incoming wireless signal determined tointerfere with the ability of the first wireless computing device toconnect to the wireless network within the boundary of the wirelessnetwork: determining a minimally-invasive power level at which to emit adirectional opposing outgoing wireless signal such that an amount ofcounteraction of the incoming wireless signal outside the boundary ofthe wireless network is minimized; and emitting the directional opposingoutgoing wireless signal to counteract the incoming wireless signal andto stop the incoming wireless signal from further interfering with theability of the first wireless computing device to connect to thewireless network within the boundary of the wireless network, whereemitting the directional opposing outgoing wireless signal comprisesemitting an inverted directional signal that is out of phase relative toa phase of the incoming wireless signal at the determinedminimally-invasive power level in a direction of a source location fromwhich the incoming wireless signal is being generated.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, where the determinedminimally-invasive power level comprises a power level equivalent to adetected power level of the incoming wireless signal at the boundary ofthe wireless network.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,where the determined minimally-invasive power level represents anemitted power level of the emitted directional opposing outgoingwireless signal and further comprising: receiving, from a neighboringwireless network that emits the incoming wireless signal, a message thatindicates that the emitted directional opposing outgoing wireless signalis interfering with an ability of a second neighboring wirelesscomputing device to connect to the neighboring wireless network within aboundary of the neighboring wireless network; and dynamically reducing,based upon the message received from the neighboring wireless network,the emitted power level of the emitted directional opposing outgoingwireless signal to reduce impacts of the emitted directional opposingoutgoing wireless signal on the neighboring wireless network while stillstopping the incoming wireless signal from further interfering with theability of the first wireless computing device to connect to thewireless network within the boundary of the wireless network.
 4. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, where the determinedminimally-invasive power level represents an emitted power level of theemitted directional opposing outgoing wireless signal and furthercomprising: determining a location of the first wireless computingdevice relative to the source location of a neighboring wireless networkthat emits the incoming wireless signal; and dynamically adjusting theemitted power level of the emitted directional opposing outgoingwireless signal based upon the determined location of the first wirelesscomputing device relative to the source location of the neighboringwireless network that emits the incoming wireless signal.
 5. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, where monitoring the boundary ofthe wireless network for incoming wireless signals that may interferewith the ability of the first wireless computing device to connect tothe wireless network within the boundary of the wireless networkcomprises: instructing a plurality of boundary transceivers to scan athree-dimensional (3D) region that surrounds the boundary of thewireless network and to identify the incoming wireless signals that mayinterfere with the ability of the first wireless computing device toconnect to the wireless network within the boundary of the wirelessnetwork.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining, based upon incoming signal information receivedfrom at least one of a plurality of boundary transceivers, a directionof propagation of the incoming wireless signal as detected by therespective at least one of the plurality of boundary transceivers, wherethe received incoming signal information comprises a detected powerlevel of the incoming wireless signal at a respective location of the atleast one of a plurality of boundary transceivers and athree-dimensional (3D) cancellation bearing relative to the at least oneof a plurality of boundary transceivers; and instructing, for each ofthe at least one boundary transceivers for which the detected directionof propagation of the incoming wireless signal is determined, therespective at least one boundary transceiver to emit the directionalopposing outgoing wireless signal along the respective cancellationbearing at a respective detected power level of the incoming wirelesssignal to counteract the incoming wireless signal.
 7. A system,comprising: a plurality of boundary transceivers; and at least oneprocessor programmed to: monitor a boundary of a wireless network forincoming wireless signals that may interfere with an ability of a firstwireless computing device to connect to the wireless network within aboundary of the wireless network; and for an incoming wireless signaldetermined to interfere with the ability of the first wireless computingdevice to connect to the wireless network within the boundary of thewireless network: determine a minimally-invasive power level at which toemit a directional opposing outgoing wireless signal such that an amountof counteraction of the incoming wireless signal outside the boundary ofthe wireless network is minimized; and emit via at least one of theplurality of boundary transceivers the directional opposing outgoingwireless signal to counteract the incoming wireless signal and to stopthe incoming wireless signal from further interfering with the abilityof the first wireless computing device to connect to the wirelessnetwork within the boundary of the wireless network, where, in beingprogrammed to emit via at least one of the plurality of boundarytransceivers the directional opposing outgoing wireless signal, the atleast one processor is programmed to emit an inverted directional signalthat is out of phase relative to a phase of the incoming wireless signalat the determined minimally-invasive power level in a direction of asource location from which the incoming wireless signal is beinggenerated.
 8. The system of claim 7, where the determinedminimally-invasive power level comprises a power level equivalent to adetected power level of the incoming wireless signal at the boundary ofthe wireless network.
 9. The system of claim 7, where the determinedminimally-invasive power level represents an emitted power level of theemitted directional opposing outgoing wireless signal and where the atleast one processor is further programmed to: receive, from aneighboring wireless network that emits the incoming wireless signal, amessage that indicates that the emitted directional opposing outgoingwireless signal is interfering with an ability of a second neighboringwireless computing device to connect to the neighboring wireless networkwithin a boundary of the neighboring wireless network; and dynamicallyreduce, based upon the message received from the neighboring wirelessnetwork, the emitted power level of the emitted directional opposingoutgoing wireless signal to reduce impacts of the emitted directionalopposing outgoing wireless signal on the neighboring wireless networkwhile still stopping the incoming wireless signal from furtherinterfering with the ability of the first wireless computing device toconnect to the wireless network within the boundary of the wirelessnetwork.
 10. The system of claim 7, where the determinedminimally-invasive power level represents an emitted power level of theemitted directional opposing outgoing wireless signal and where the atleast one processor is further programmed to: determine a location ofthe first wireless computing device relative to the source location of aneighboring wireless network that emits the incoming wireless signal;and dynamically adjust the emitted power level of the emitteddirectional opposing outgoing wireless signal based upon the determinedlocation of the first wireless computing device relative to the sourcelocation of the neighboring wireless network that emits the incomingwireless signal.
 11. The system of claim 7, where, in being programmedto monitor the boundary of the wireless network for incoming wirelesssignals that may interfere with the ability of the first wirelesscomputing device to connect to the wireless network within the boundaryof the wireless network, the at least one processor is programmed to:instruct the plurality of boundary transceivers to scan athree-dimensional (3D) region that surrounds the boundary of thewireless network and to identify the incoming wireless signals that mayinterfere with the ability of the first wireless computing device toconnect to the wireless network within the boundary of the wirelessnetwork.
 12. The system of claim 7, where the at least one processor isfurther programmed to: determine, based upon incoming signal informationreceived from at least one of the plurality of boundary transceivers, adirection of propagation of the incoming wireless signal as detected bythe respective at least one of the plurality of boundary transceivers,where the received incoming signal information comprises a detectedpower level of the incoming wireless signal at a respective location ofthe at least one of a plurality of boundary transceivers and athree-dimensional (3D) cancellation bearing relative to the at least oneof a plurality of boundary transceivers; and instruct, for each of theat least one boundary transceivers for which the detected direction ofpropagation of the incoming wireless signal is determined, therespective at least one boundary transceiver to emit the directionalopposing outgoing wireless signal along the respective cancellationbearing at a respective detected power level of the incoming wirelesssignal to counteract the incoming wireless signal.
 13. A computerprogram product, comprising: a computer readable storage medium havingcomputer readable program code embodied therewith, where the computerreadable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se and where thecomputer readable program code when executed on a computer causes thecomputer to: monitor a boundary of a wireless network for incomingwireless signals that may interfere with an ability of a first wirelesscomputing device to connect to the wireless network within the boundaryof the wireless network; and for an incoming wireless signal determinedto interfere with the ability of the first wireless computing device toconnect to the wireless network within the boundary of the wirelessnetwork: determine a minimally-invasive power level at which to emit adirectional opposing outgoing wireless signal such that an amount ofcounteraction of the incoming wireless signal outside the boundary ofthe wireless network is minimized; and emit the directional opposingoutgoing wireless signal to counteract the incoming wireless signal andto stop the incoming wireless signal from further interfering with theability of the first wireless computing device to connect to thewireless network within the boundary of the wireless network, where, incausing the computer to emit the directional opposing outgoing wirelesssignal, the computer readable program code when executed on the computercauses the computer to emit an inverted directional signal that is outof phase relative to a phase of the incoming wireless signal at thedetermined minimally-invasive power level in a direction of a sourcelocation from which the incoming wireless signal is being generated. 14.The computer program product of claim 13, where the determinedminimally-invasive power level comprises a power level equivalent to adetected power level of the incoming wireless signal at the boundary ofthe wireless network.
 15. The computer program product of claim 13,where the determined minimally-invasive power level represents anemitted power level of the emitted directional opposing outgoingwireless signal and where the computer readable program code whenexecuted on the computer further causes the computer to: receive, from aneighboring wireless network that emits the incoming wireless signal, amessage that indicates that the emitted directional opposing outgoingwireless signal is interfering with an ability of a second neighboringwireless computing device to connect to the neighboring wireless networkwithin a boundary of the neighboring wireless network; and dynamicallyreduce, based upon the message received from the neighboring wirelessnetwork, the emitted power level of the emitted directional opposingoutgoing wireless signal to reduce impacts of the emitted directionalopposing outgoing wireless signal on the neighboring wireless networkwhile still stopping the incoming wireless signal from furtherinterfering with the ability of the first wireless computing device toconnect to the wireless network within the boundary of the wirelessnetwork.
 16. The computer program product of claim 13, where thedetermined minimally-invasive power level represents an emitted powerlevel of the emitted directional opposing outgoing wireless signal andwhere the computer readable program code when executed on the computerfurther causes the computer to: determine a location of the firstwireless computing device relative to the source location of aneighboring wireless network that emits the incoming wireless signal;and dynamically adjust the emitted power level of the emitteddirectional opposing outgoing wireless signal based upon the determinedlocation of the first wireless computing device relative to the sourcelocation of the neighboring wireless network that emits the incomingwireless signal.
 17. The computer program product of claim 13, where, incausing the computer to monitor the boundary of the wireless network forincoming wireless signals that may interfere with the ability of thefirst wireless computing device to connect to the wireless networkwithin the boundary of the wireless network, the computer readableprogram code when executed on the computer causes the computer to:instruct a plurality of boundary transceivers to scan athree-dimensional (3D) region that surrounds the boundary of thewireless network and to identify the incoming wireless signals that mayinterfere with the ability of the first wireless computing device toconnect to the wireless network within the boundary of the wirelessnetwork.
 18. The computer program product of claim 13, where thecomputer readable program code when executed on the computer furthercauses the computer to: determine, based upon incoming signalinformation received from at least one of a plurality of boundarytransceivers, a direction of propagation of the incoming wireless signalas detected by the respective at least one of the plurality of boundarytransceivers, where the received incoming signal information comprises adetected power level of the incoming wireless signal at a respectivelocation of the at least one of a plurality of boundary transceivers anda three-dimensional (3D) cancellation bearing relative to the at leastone of a plurality of boundary transceivers; and instruct, for each ofthe at least one boundary transceivers for which the detected directionof propagation of the incoming wireless signal is determined, therespective at least one boundary transceiver to emit the directionalopposing outgoing wireless signal along the respective cancellationbearing at a respective detected power level of the incoming wirelesssignal to counteract the incoming wireless signal.